Navigate to Homepage
Search
Main navigation
  

        
              Explore the Capitol Campus
                          Art
                            Buildings & Grounds
                            Capitol Hill Facts
                            Visitor Resources
                            Our Blog
                            What We Do
                          Areas of Expertise
                            Programs & Ceremonies
                            Projects
                            Publications
                            Strategic Objectives
                            About Us
                          Who We Are
                            History of the AOC
                            News & Notices
                            Organizational Structure
                            Partnerships & Recognition
                            Work With UsSearch Breadcrumb
    HomeExplore the Capitol CampusBuildings & GroundsU.S. Capitol BuildingU.S. Capitol Grounds
Trees on Capitol Grounds
Originally a wooded wilderness, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted removed 400 trees when he designed the U.S. Capitol Grounds in 1874. His design was meant to create a park like setting that would focus attention on the great Capitol Building.
        
                  Image
    Trees with a building in the distance.

Trees were heavily used in Olmsted's design to both frame the building and provide shade for visitors and his design still drives all landscaping decisions on the grounds today, including the placement and selection of trees.

Olmsted's design of the U.S. Capitol Grounds built a natural landscape, as opposed to focusing on individual plants or formal gardens. At the U.S. Capitol today, this design is kept intact through tree plantings arranged in natural-looking groups.

TreesThe placement of the largest trees is designed to hide views of the Capitol except from specific angles that show off the building's architecture at its most majestic and inspiring vantage point. Olmsted used large deciduous shade trees throughout his design, and low-growing evergreen shrubs were used along the base of the West Terrace of the Capitol.

Arboretum in the City (Article)
	Leaves of Green: Capitol's Mature Trees Offer Big Payouts (Article)Gifted, Memorial and Commemorative Trees

Today, as you walk the grounds, Olmsted's original design is evident all around. However, you may notice a few additions of some exotic trees from across the world. These trees have been introduced over time as gifts, such as the cherry trees given by Japan in 1912, and as memorial or commemorative trees.

A memorial tree is planted in memory of an individual or individuals who are deceased and have made a national contribution, while a commemorative tree is planted to recognize a state, a living individual, group, organization, or a significant event or anniversary.

**These special trees serve as a vehicle for experiencing a bit of American history and **can be found on our U.S. Capitol Grounds features page.**** Serve. Preserve. Inspire.

              Contact Us
                            Accountability
                            Hill Staff Resources
                            AOC Staff Resources
Utility
  

        
              Privacy Policy
                            Image Terms of Use
                            Inspector General
                            U.S. Botanic Garden
                            U.S. Capitol Visitor CenterFacebook
	Twitter
	Flickr
	YouTube
	Instagram
	Subscribe